Easy Peeps Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe – Fun & Festive Easter Dessert
Looking for a colorful, festive, and family-friendly Easter dessert? This Easy Peeps Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe is the perfect choice! Soft, buttery sugar cookie bars are topped with sweet frosting and decorated with marshmallow Peeps, making them a cheerful addition to your spring celebrations.
These cookie bars are not only delicious but also super easy to prepare, making them a great recipe for kids to help with. Whether you’re hosting an Easter brunch, packing holiday treats, or simply craving something fun and sweet, these bars will bring joy to every bite.
Ingredients (Makes 16 Bars)
For the Sugar Cookie Base:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (330 g)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (225 g)
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar (300 g)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
For the Frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (115 g)
- 2 cups powdered sugar (240 g)
- 2 tbsp heavy cream or milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Food coloring (pink, purple, yellow, or pastel shades for Easter)
For Decoration:
- 8–10 Marshmallow Peeps (bunnies or chicks)
- Festive sprinkles
Step by Step Cooking Guide
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix dry ingredients – In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream butter & sugar – In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
- Add eggs & vanilla – Mix in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
- Combine – Slowly add dry ingredients to wet mixture until a soft dough forms.
- Bake – Spread dough evenly into prepared pan. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until lightly golden. Allow to cool completely.
- Make frosting – Beat butter until creamy, add powdered sugar gradually, then add cream and vanilla. Tint with food coloring of choice.
- Frost & decorate – Spread frosting over cooled cookie base. Add Peeps on top and sprinkle with festive decorations.
- Cut into bars and serve!
Cooking Time & Serving Size
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Cooling & Decorating: 30 minutes
- Total Time: ~1 hour 15 minutes
- Serving Size: 16 bars
Tips & Variations
- Different colors: Use multiple pastel frostings for a vibrant Easter tray.
- Extra crunch: Add crushed graham crackers or Oreos on top before decorating.
- Chocolate twist: Drizzle melted white or milk chocolate over the bars.
- Shortcut: Use store-bought sugar cookie dough for an even faster version.
Nutrition Info (Per Bar – Approximate)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 280 kcal |
| Protein | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 45 g |
| Fat | 11 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 28 g |
Healthy Alternatives
- Gluten-Free: Substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Sugar-Free: Use erythritol or monk fruit sweetener in dough and frosting.
- Dairy-Free: Swap butter for vegan butter and milk for almond or oat milk.
- Lower-Calorie: Reduce frosting quantity and use mini Peeps for decoration.
Serving Suggestions
These Easy Peeps Sugar Cookie Bars are the ultimate Easter dessert – colorful, fun, and delicious. Serve them at an Easter brunch, wrap them individually for party favors, or simply enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee.
The best part? They’re easy enough for beginners but festive enough to impress your guests. A true holiday win!
FAQ’s
Q1: Can I make these sugar cookie bars ahead of time?
Yes! You can bake the cookie base 1–2 days in advance, then frost and decorate right before serving.
Q2: How should I store them?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for 5–6 days.
Q3: Can I freeze Peeps sugar cookie bars?
Yes, but freeze without the Peeps. Add Peeps and sprinkles after thawing for best texture.
Q4: Can I use different holiday themes?
Absolutely! Replace Peeps with seasonal candies for Christmas, Halloween, or birthdays.
Q5: Can kids help with this recipe?
Definitely! Kids can help frost, add food coloring, and decorate with Peeps and sprinkles.
